Coal Ministry Holds Pre-Application Conference for Rs 37,500 Crore Gasification Scheme

New Delhi, Jul 21 (KNN) The Ministry of Coal conducted a pre-application conference for the Rs 37,500 crore Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects, witnessing participation from public sector enterprises, private companies, technology providers and prospective applicants.

The conference, chaired by Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Sanoj Kumar Jha, provided clarifications on the scheme guidelines and Request for Proposal, including eligibility criteria, evaluation methodology, financial incentives and the application process.

Approved by the Union Cabinet on May 13, 2026, the scheme aims to promote surface coal and lignite gasification and support the production of synthetic natural gas, ammonia, methanol, DRI, synthetic fuels and chemicals.

The scheme is expected to attract investments of around Rs 2.5–3 lakh crore, facilitate the utilisation of nearly 75 million tonnes of coal annually, generate around 50,000 jobs and reduce India's dependence on imports of energy and chemical products.

The last date for submission of applications is September 7, 2026.

(KNN Bureau)